Preschool Math Scope and Sequence – a Roadmap to Teaching
Creating an effective preschool math curriculum starts with a well-organized preschool math scope and sequence. A clear outline ensures that essential math concepts are taught in the right order, building a strong foundation for young learners.
By incorporating engaging preschool math activities, teachers can make learning both fun and meaningful for their students. In this post, we’ll explore how to develop a thoughtful math scope and sequence while sharing some engaging activities to enhance math learning in your classroom.

A well-structured preschool math scope and sequence ensures that all key concepts are covered systematically, from number recognition to early problem-solving skills. Paired with interactive preschool math activities, this approach helps children grasp complex concepts through hands-on learning.
With a clear path for instruction, teachers can confidently guide students, knowing they are hitting all essential math milestones via preschool math objectives. This clarity allows educators to teach with more ease, providing a math-rich environment that supports each child’s growth while making preschool lessons engaging and effective.
Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to early childhood education, having a detailed scope and sequence can provide clarity and direction, helping you create a math-rich environment that supports every learner’s growth.
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What is a Preschool Math Scope and Sequence?
Math teachers face the significant task of guiding students from foundational skills in preschool to advanced competencies in higher grades. A robust math curriculum requires a clearly defined plan, and that’s where scope and sequence come into play.
The scope outlines the skills and content to be covered over time, while the sequence dictates the specific order in which these topics are taught.
Together, these elements ensure that educators have a comprehensive roadmap for imparting mathematical knowledge and understanding, aligned with educational standards. Dr. Heather Van Otterloo, Ed.D., aptly notes,
The roadmap provided by a well-developed scope and sequence ensures that all teachers across grade levels are able to work together to help students get to their destination effectively.
This collaborative approach enables educators to seamlessly build upon each year’s learning, ensuring every student is well-prepared for future challenges.
If you’re really wondering about how to put together a math scope and sequence for preschool (we offer a free one at the end of this post), check out this video series about math intervention.
Does a Preschool Math Scope and Sequence Equate to Standards?
Simply put, no. When it comes to preschool math education, scope and sequence work alongside standards to create a comprehensive roadmap for teaching, yet they are distinct elements.
The scope and sequence offer a structured framework outlining key concepts and a progression of learning tailored for each age group.
Conversely, standards represent overarching learning objectives, defining what young learners should grasp and achieve as they journey through math.
Think of standards as targeted outcomes, providing tangible learning goals for educators to aim for. While scope and sequence may differ across districts and preschool centers due to personalized teaching plans for mastering content by year’s end, standards are generally established by national or regional educational bodies.
Together, these tools are essential in nurturing foundational math skills and fostering critical thinking abilities in preschoolers, setting them on a path to future academic success.

Why is a Math Scope and Sequence a Big Deal in Preschool?
I mean, it’s just preschool, right? It’s not that big of a deal.
Wrong.
A math scope and sequence is crucial in preschool education because it offers a structured approach to teaching early math concepts, ensuring that lessons are both cohesive and aligned with educational standards.
This organized framework helps educators deliver focused and challenging learning experiences, fostering a strong foundation in math from an early age.
A preschool math scope and sequence should provide a clear path for introducing and reinforcing foundational math skills in a developmentally appropriate way. It provides a logical progression of skills and concepts, which are:
- Number Sense: Counting, recognizing numbers, understanding quantity, one-to-one correspondence, and comparing numbers.
- Algebra: Recognizing patterns, sorting, and exploring relationships between objects to build problem-solving and sequencing skills.
- Geometry: Identifying, classifying, and comparing shapes, exploring size, symmetry, and spatial relationships.
- Measurement: Comparing and ordering objects based on length, weight, capacity, and time.
- Data Analysis and Probability: Sorting, graphing, and categorizing objects, making simple predictions based on observations.
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Product on sale*** Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics CurriculumOriginal price was: $135.00.$99.00Current price is: $99.00.
How to Write a Preschool Math Scope and Sequence
Writing a scope and sequence for preschool math involves organizing and structuring math lessons in a way that builds on foundational skills. Consider the following:
Steps to Write a Scope and Sequence for Preschool Math:
- Identify Core Math Concepts: Start by determining the key math skills preschoolers need to develop, such as number sense, counting, shapes, measurement, and patterns.
- These will form the foundation of your curriculum.
- Set Developmentally Appropriate Goals: Break down math concepts into smaller, manageable skills that are age-appropriate.
- For example, instead of simply teaching numbers, focus on specific goals like counting objects with one-to-one correspondence or recognizing numerals.
- Organize by Theme or Unit: Group similar math concepts into units or themes. For instance, a theme like “Shapes” might include identifying shapes, comparing them, and understanding their attributes.
- This allows for a more focused approach.
- Create a Timeline: Decide when each math skill will be introduced, practiced, and revisited throughout the year.
- Organize these skills sequentially so that earlier concepts support later, more complex ones.
- Include Review and Reinforcement: Plan to revisit math concepts regularly to reinforce learning.
- Incorporate spiraling, where previous skills are reviewed alongside the introduction of new ones, ensuring continuous growth.
- Learn exactly how to spiral preschool math concepts in this post.
- Incorporate Hands-on Activities: Ensure that your scope and sequence includes a variety of preschool math activities, such as manipulatives, preschool math toys and games, and visual aids, to make learning engaging and effective.
- Adjust as Needed: Be flexible with your scope and sequence, adjusting it based on the progress and needs of your students.
- Not all children learn at the same pace, so being adaptable is key.
You can grab a free preschool math scope and sequence already done for you at the end of this post, but if you want to learn more about the process, read this post about how to create a year-long template for math planning.

Free Preschool Math Scope and Sequence
Want a structured outline for teaching preschool math? With this resource, teachers can confidently guide their students through engaging and well-paced math lessons that build on each concept over time. Get your free download!
Psst! This scope and sequence for preschool math also includes an entire week of free lesson plans, too!
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Product on sale*** Daily Lessons in Preschool Mathematics CurriculumOriginal price was: $135.00.$99.00Current price is: $99.00.

I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.